Everything But the Carbon Sink

February 25, 2019

We know that climate change is already taking its toll on our planet. Whether that means more frequent and extreme weather patterns, depleting insect populations, or mounting refugee crises, our world is facing new challenges that are becoming our "new normal." While this news can often feel defeating, there is some hope--we have countless ways in which we can slow the effects of our changing climate and create a more livable environment for all.

In this article on Pacific Standard, scientists explore a natural way to curb greenhouse emissions and increase carbon sequestration. What is carbon sequestration, exactly? A fancy term for the process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and contained in solid or liquid form (these forms are often referred to as carbon sinks). By sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, we are lessening the amount of fossil fuels that contribute to warming temperatures as well as an acidifying ocean (yikes!).

So what's an answer to this carbon dioxide problem we have? Well, one of the answers is trees. In fact, "a recent study suggests that natural solutions can provide 'over one-third of the cost-effective climate mitigation needed between now and 2030 to stabilize warming to below 2 degrees Celsius,' reducing the need for riskier options, like geo-engineering or bioenergy with carbon capture and storage."

Trees, mangroves, and peatlands are all contenders in the fight for our strained planet. The challenge here is helping more countries understand the importance of green space as they strategize their climate solutions. Developing nations are currently leading the way when it comes to integrating reforestation into their climate change plans, but many of the world's wealthier countries have catching up to do. You can read more at the link posted here.